Early Breakfast withRelebogile Mabotja

The case involving four dismissed SABC journalists has been postponed in the Johannesburg Labour Court due to outstanding documentation from the broadcaster’s legal representatives.

Krivani Pillay, Foeta Krige, Suna Venter and Jacques Steenkamp were due to have their matter heard in court today, after they were fired for voicing their concern about SABC’s broadcast ban on violent protests.

However, the SABC's lawyers claim that they didn’t have enough time to finalise their documents and answering affidavit, having not consulted with SABC management.

The judge has agreed to grant the SABC a postponement until Friday at 12:30pm.

The four axed journalists believe that the SABC's recent High Court settlement to reverse the editorial policy warrants their reinstatement, reports EWN's Dineo Bendile.

The SABC will have to temporarily lift the broadcast ban, pending the outcome of a review application to test the lawfulness of the controversial policy.

Meanwhile, SABC legal representative Titus Mchunu says that the broadcaster decided to abide by the ruling from communications regulator Icasa, after an official order was given directly to the SABC.

Mchunu explains that the initial judgement last week was a recommendation from Icasa's Complaints and Compliance Committee and did not constitute an order.

He says Icasa's council only responded to the recommendation by releasing a formal order on Monday.

Listen to the full conversation from the Midday Report with Stephen Grootes: